Close games reflect the high quality of play in the 5A CHSIHL this season

With some teams into their ninth game of the season, a cursory look at the past weekend's scores illustrates the high level and quality of Inline hockey that's being played in the CHSIHL this season.

No team scored more than 7 goals; and all but one of the 7 games played resulted either in ties or were decided by 2 goals or less. Let's remember; there's no red line, no blue line, no "icing", no offsides, and the games are fifty minutes long. This is not your father's roller hockey! But it should be viewed as a testament to the coaching, player development, practices, and most of all to the dedication, skill, and passion of all the teams and players involved.

Saturday's second game of the day at the Bladium featured the Smoky Hill Buffaloes against nearby neighbor and long time rival Eaglecrest HS. After several seasons in the top echelon of the CHSIHL 5A bracket, including the State Championship in 2006, Raptors Coach Jim Runyan is clearly in a re-building year. Despite a lineup featuring several good looking young players, the more experienced Smoky Hill team quickly took the play to the Raptors. Just 31 seconds into the game, Buffs defensemen Jessie Phillips pushed home the first of what would be a four goal performance. Then Phillips and Buffaloes' leading scorer Rees Bernot alternated in the assist department and Smoky Hill was on top 3-0. Buffaloes' Bryce Estes followed with a silky backhand pass to Gary Zimmerman who stuffed it home to make Smoky's lead 4-0. Levi Scott briefly kept the Raptors within striking distance, converting on a pass from Adam Edwards. But it wasn't to be, as Jessie Phillips and Buffaloes' freshman sensation C.J. Bateman scored goals to put the exclamation point on the victory as Smoky Hill remained in second place with a 7-2 decision.

Later on Saturday afternoon, Horizon met Douglas County at the new rink in Parker. Both teams displayed close checking and good defense and the half ended 1-1. But Horizon playmaker Wes Schaeffer scored 2 goals and assisted on a third in the second half, and the Hawks went home with a hard earned win. "I feel like we kind of went in there and stole one today.... our kids played a real good game. Our goalie was really strong. That was a good team we beat", said Horizon Coach Owen Schaeffer.

In other weekend games, Lewis Palmer stayed unbeaten, battling Rocky Mountain to a 7-7 tie. Danny Colburn and Garrett Lukken chipped in two goals apiece for the Rangers and Scott Jenkins picked up the hat trick for Rocky Mountain. Other finals included Chatfield coming back in the second half to stop Fort Collins on the strength of two goals and an assist by Joey Waring. Cherry Creek came back to edge Highlands ranch on Wesley Cumpston's late goal and Mountain Vista and Columbine skated to a 4-4 tie.

The CHSIHA varsity 5A season moves into week 9 this coming weekend, with a full slate of games at various rinks around the Front Range metro areas as follows: